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Exterior Landscape Design Porches & Decks

80s contemporary exterior ideas?

Melissa Goldberg

4 years ago

Hello all! We're considering making an offer on this house. It meets many of our needs, is in great condition, and the price and location are right. However it's a bit of an ugly duckling imo, and the current sellers have had a hard time selling it. I think this is part due to lack of curb appeal. I know the landscaping would need work. Our realtor said she'd keep the juniper immediately at the front door bc it is stabilizing the soil, but the rest of it can definitely go. My bigger concern is how to make the structure itself look better. The siding is in good condition, so we are unlikely to replace it anytime soon. The roof and decks are likely going to need work, so there's an opportunity there and we can likely work with the trim and windows. Any ideas?? Visuals would be amazing! Thank you!

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Comments (4)

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Yardvaark
4 years ago
If the junipers lining the walk are in reasonably good condition, I'd allow them to stay, trimming them back to the walk edge. They are not too much taller than the walk and act as cheeckwall, hiding the edge of the steps. The two plants up by the stoop, severely pinch the entrance and occupy too my too space. (BTW, any plants hold soil relative to their root system size. You don't need two in the wrong place to do it.) So they should be removed. Other, low and possibly flowering plants near the stoop could be incorporated into the landscape

It looks like the steps are retained in wood. Someday this will go and you'll be rebuilding the steps at which time you could re-evaluate the steps and planting scheme as a whole. I'd suggest steps that are entirely masonry, no wood.

I much dislike the roof color. Something is grey architectural shingles would look a lot better.
Melissa Goldberg thanked Yardvaark
Melissa Goldberg
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you, Yardvark! Great point about the shrubs at the doorway. I agree in the roof. I'm really hoping the inspection reveals that it's due for replacement....
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I think you have a gorgeous house as is and I would not paint the trim a light color! I think if you concentrate on landscaping, wood tone garage doors and refinish the decking in the same color that it is. I would not mess with perfection I love your house !! that will give you the improvement you’re looking for.
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Ok folks! An UPDATE! and call for more advice! After much deliberation we decided against painting the brick. Too expensive and too much work. We sampled several different paint swatches (some suggested by you!) and opted for a dark gray with a hint of purple (I know, I know, the majority said no to gray, but we really liked it with the red brick. And we are pleased!). We just purchased modernist light fixtures in bronze https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AINJ3F2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and plan on replacing the double doors with simple, full light ones that should line up nicely with the adjacent plate glass windows. The effect will be similar to the wall of glass that is the back of the house--so you can see right through from front to back! One of the biggest changes, however, is the elimination of the stone pillars in front! We just demo'd them and the difference is amazing. So much more light and the car port roof seems less oppressive. However, we need to clad the steel posts with something. Any suggestions? I was considering something much narrower than previous and maybe painted to match the house color? Would love to hear everyone's thoughts!
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We just went with a highly reviewed local "general home maintenance" (how their website describes them) company. They're licensed, insured, & bonded and offer a one year warranty for work. They were wonderful to work with, honestly, and the price was very reasonable in my opinion. No, our siding is cedar bevel / clapboard. Before/after pics attached. They removed the rotten pieces and replaced them without damaging any of the the original siding that was still in good shape. They checked for any damage to the original underlayment when removing the siding or mold. Much to my surprise, they said everything there still looked great so didn't think any more work was needed than just the few damaged/rotten boards. You can't visually tell where the work was done, it blends in seamlessly. We also had them replace some rotten trim around the clerestory windows. They painted the new trim and siding boards with a paint we color-matched within a few days. However, I believe cedar siding doesn't actually need to be painted or treated (pros can correct me if I'm wrong) so I wouldn't think it's an issue if you don't paint right away.
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Olychick
4 years ago
I think it's actually not a bad looking house, but agree about the roof. I wouldn't choose the siding color or the rock, but I could live with both if the roof were darker (I think that would neutralize the pinkishness that shows on my screen, but maybe it's not so pinky in real life. Well, the first pic looks pinkish, the rest of the pics look more golden). Perhaps select a more exciting front door color? The setting looks lovely!

Those are some of my favorite junipers and will look good year round but so many junipers smell like cat pee to me - not what I want to have heading up to the front door. If that particular variety of juniper doesn't stink, then I'd probably leave them. Hopefully, some of the talented photoshoppers here will give you ideas of what else to do.

You might want to post on Home Decorating and Design Dilemma for more ideas/help.
Melissa Goldberg thanked Olychick
Melissa Goldberg
Original Author
3 years ago
Y'all I forgot I posted this until it showed up in my OWN google search result for "80s contemporary exterior." We did buy the house and we are replacing the roof sometime this year! I t will NOT be orange! lol. This house is in desperate need for contrast, inside and out. The siding may not be in as good condition as we thought (SO found some rotted wood underneath the vinyl) but unless the situation gets dire, we still can't really afford to replace it, the roof, and do some interior work we're hoping to do. I'll share more as we go!

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